Chris Waters joined elite company in the Georgia State Golf Association on Sunday when he polished off a wire-to-wire victory at the Georgia State Public Links. Waters became just the second three-time winner of the event. He finished 36 holes at Stonebridge Golf Club in Rome, Ga., with an 8-under total.

Waters opened with a 6-under 66 and closed with 2-under 70. His first round included an eagle at the par-4 sixth and four consecutive birdies to close the round that gave him a five-shot lead. He went on a three-birdie streak early on Sunday and added two more back-to-back at Nos. 15-16.

Waters also held off two-time Georgia Public Links Championship Billy Mitchell to win. Waters previously won this event in 2016 and 2014, also going wire-to-wire to get the second title.

“It’s awesome, No. 3, second person to ever do that, so that’s a pretty unique thing,” Waters told the GSGA.

“…I’m going to come out trying next thing, but I think it’s pretty cool to be one of the only people in the state to ever win it three times so that’s pretty special. Something I’ll hold close to my heart forever.”

Behind Mitchell in second, Beau Gammage was third at 2 over. Ashton Pellicano was fourth another shot back, followed by Alex Wilborn in fifth at 5 over.

ABOUT THE Georgia Public Links

Entries: Open to male amateur golfers who
are members of a GSGA Member Club that
is open to public play. Entrants must not
have held privileges since January 1 of the
current year at any club that does not
permit public play.

Field: 72 players with the lowest USGA
Handicap Indexes and 72 drawn by lottery;
three exemptions are given to the host
club